God Is Like Nanny McPhee

In 19th century England, widowed undertaker Cedric Brown has seven unruly children. He is clumsy, loves his children but spends little time with them and cannot handle them. The children have had a series of nannies, which they systematically drive out by their bad behaviour. They also terrorize the cook, Mrs Blatherwick.

One day, Cedric discovers throughout the home references for a "Nanny McPhee". That stormy night, the children cause havoc in the kitchen. Cedric sees a shadow behind the door and opens it to reveal a frighteningly hideous woman, who states that she is Nanny McPhee and is a "government nanny." With discipline and a little magic, she transforms the family's lives.

In the process, she changes from ugly to beautiful, her warts and unibrow disappearing. The children, led by the eldest son Simon, try to play their tricks on her, but gradually start to respect her and ask her for advice. They change to responsible people helping their clumsy father in solving the family problems. (Wikipedia)

God is like Nanny McPhee.

Now, obviously, all metaphors break down. Even more so, attempting to understand the infinite God of the universe is always tricky business, but stick with me.

Left to our own devices, we are a bunch of unruly children, filled with contempt and selfishness.

Then comes along this God character. At first glance, He seems like some odious taskmaster, covered in distasteful features that jar our various senses.

With discipline – and a little magic – He works in our lives, transforming us from the inside out. Some of the hideous features we thought we once saw have disappeared.

As He continues to speak into our lives, we start to realize He is worthy of respect. We start asking Him to speak into our lives.

Eventually, mysteriously, our vision of Him has transformed almost entirely. Where we once saw hideous features, we now see kindness, calmness, holiness, and love.

Next time we see God's warts or unibrow, let us consider the possibility that our own unruliness is clouding our vision, poisoning our judgment.

Sometimes, the process can be long and arduous, but being subjected to discipline and a little magic can change us into responsible, helpful, loving people.